MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. — There are new developments involving a proposed coal terminal, one supporters say would bring hundreds of jobs.

Meanwhile, people who live near the proposed site said the mess just isn't worth it and they're getting some help from a nationally-known environmental group.

Southern Coal Handling wants to build the terminal in West Paducah near the Ohio River.

Homeowners aren't happy and the project is even drawing criticism from Harrah's Casino across the river.

The Sierra Club joined the opposition tonight at the McCracken County zoning board meeting to fight the plan.

After a three-hour meeting, the issue is still not resolved.

The plan is to bring a coal terminal to the area and it's possible a coal-to-liquid-gas plant might follow, bringing around 200 well-paying jobs.

At Wednesday night's meeting, a crowd gathered, many of them saying the same thing about the plants, a resounding no.

Attorney and chair of the Sierra Club Dianna Riddick loves the Metropolis Lake State Nature Preserve.

"I become one with nature. It's relaxing. Everybody does it. You take a walk in woods, commune with nature, what's out there, throw away cares of the day it's a beautiful thing."

But she's afraid of what it might look like if the land surrounding the preserve is re-zoned and a coal terminal or coal plant, similar to this one in Calvert City, Kentucky, comes in.

"We believe there's a risk with the close proximity to the coal terminal," Riddick says.

And so do her friends, who came from several counties on both sides of the river to make sure the board voted no.

The meeting went on for hours, those representing the coal terminal and plant brought in a video from leaders in another city with a similar plant. The video boasted how great the coal industry can be, but then opponents brought out their video, featuring interviews from neighbors of coal plants who said the dust and noise produced from the plant is horrible.

Hours of passionate arguments from business people, community leaders, and homeowners on both sides, all trying to send a strong statement to a board that has their future in hand.

Riddick said it's not just their future but the future of our planet at stake.

The board considered a motion to approve the change from rural residential to heavy industrial, but then tabled it. They'll meet again next week to make a final decision.

The coal terminal would take about two years to build, and if the coal to liquid fuel plant is built that would take about three years.

The next meeting is Wednesday, March 23rd, at 6:30 p.m. at the McCracken County courthouse.